Students pledge to go drug-free

Herkimer CSD students marked Red Ribbon Week in October with activities designed to raise awareness about risky behaviors.

The annual nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign aims to raise young people’s awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. During Red Ribbon Week, students are invited to take a pledge to remain drug-free.

This year’s theme was “Life Is Your Journey, Travel Drug-Free,” and Red Ribbon Week coincided with Unity Day, an annual event of the National Bullying Prevention Center.

At Herkimer Jr./Sr. High School, students participated in a door-decorating contest, organized by Catholic Charities Prevention Service Coordinator Crystal Gerhardt. Gerhardt, who works in the high school to support drug prevention efforts, also helped organize a smoke-free movie night for middle school students, featuring the film “Hotel Transylvania 3.”

At Herkimer Elementary, each student took a pledge to be drug- and bully-free. Each day, students were given an item to help remind them of their pledge, such as stickers, bookmarks, lollipops or bracelets, and were asked to keep it throughout the day. Student Council members also provided information during morning announcements about the importance of being drug- and bully-free.